(1) When the secretary has reasonable cause to believe that sexual intercourse or sexual contact between an employee and an inmate has occurred, notwithstanding any rule adopted under chapter 41.06 RCW the secretary shall immediately suspend the employee.

(2) The secretary shall immediately institute proceedings to terminate the employment of any person:

(a) Who is found by the department, based on a preponderance of the evidence, to have had sexual intercourse or sexual contact with the inmate; or

(b) Upon a guilty plea or conviction for any crime specified in chapter 9A.44 RCW when the victim was an inmate.

(3) When the secretary has reasonable cause to believe that sexual intercourse or sexual contact between the employee of a contractor and an inmate has occurred, the secretary shall require the employee of a contractor to be immediately removed from any employment position which would permit the employee to have any access to any inmate.

(4) The secretary shall disqualify for employment with a contractor in any position with access to an inmate, any person:

(a) Who is found by the department, based on a preponderance of the evidence, to have had sexual intercourse or sexual contact with the inmate; or

(b) Upon a guilty plea or conviction for any crime specified in chapter 9A.44 RCW when the victim was an inmate.

(5) The secretary, when considering the renewal of a contract with a contractor with whom the secretary has taken action under subsection (3) or (4) of this section, shall require the contractor to demonstrate that there has been significant progress made in reducing the likelihood that any of its employees will have sexual intercourse or sexual contact with an inmate. The secretary shall examine whether the contractor has taken steps to improve hiring, training, and monitoring practices and whether the employee remains with the contractor. The secretary shall not renew a contract unless he or she determines that significant progress has been made.

(6) For the purposes of RCW 50.20.060, a person terminated under this section shall be considered discharged for misconduct.